Beyond Life's Void

I never grew up in a wealthy home

There are no returns in “Hardwork”

I never grew up in a wealthy home…and when I was little the thought of how rich or poor we were never crossed my mind – until about the age of six. Before that I would think to have had no relationship with money whatsoever beyond the desire for a little change to buy sweets from the local spaza (neighborhood informal vendor). But around the formative ages of six/seven I began consciously being aware of these fascinating coins and notes which seemed to fulfill my hearts desires. I also became very aware that they were not easily available and often came after difficult negotiation and pleading with my gran. At that point I was being raised under her staunch and charismatic “wing”.

So I became accustomed to the word “no” and the phrase If you do xxx, I’ll give you R x. Here I learned the simple principle: you have to work for your money dear child! We lived in a two bedroom house which had shiny concrete floors which lead all the way from the orange painted bathroom to the kitchen. I remember the shine of the floors vividly as they were results of my hard labor. My grandmother loved her floors waxed and shined every weekend and under the guidance of my then 11 year old aunt/cousin (Grannies middle child) the six year old me worked those floored spotless.

I carried this: hard work = money mentality for the better part of my upbringing and paired this with a possibly obsessive money hording behavior. Every cent I received through chores, change or “luck” I kept. I didn’t have a piggy box and used a cookie tin which eventually evolved into the Coca Cola piggy bottle to reduce access to these funds. The average child would blow it on all the wonderful sugary stuff they are restricted in having; and although a part of me is sad I did not go forth and be care free in my spending- I have grown with a robust saving and investing principle as a result. This saving culture is one which was not actively passed on to Black children.

And over the years post University and into the world of “adulting” I have had to re-learn this principle which equates hard work & money. The terms “work smart” had been drilled in me since high school, and this smart money philosophy is the converted result.

“The Key to to investing is to have your money work hard for you so that you don’t have to work hard for money!” Kim Kiyosaki

After having read Rich Dad, the feminist in me drew attracted to women wealth and so I’m reading “Rich Woman” by Kim Kiyosaki & “Women & Wealth “ by Jacques Magliolo and hoping to share my take on Wealth, Women & Africa with you.

By Nwamara Obiike:

“I am not an early bird, or a night owl. I am some form of permanently exhausted pigeon!”

African Crusader | Blogger | Foodie

As I have mentioned in the past, Nwamara is the ‘financial advisor’ in the group. Her financial acumen has been invaluable in many of our discussions. Let us hope that this is the beginning of a ‘Financial Guide for the African Women’ series by her. Thanks Nwamara. Looking forward to the series-Lee